Can I use my solar panels if I'm not at home?

Additionally, even though your solar panels will generate electricity, it is unlikely to all be used by yourself. The sun is obviously only out during the day, so if you are not at home, it will be fed into the grid so that it can be used by somebody else.

Do you own solar panels?

You OWN the solar panels. Under these schemes, you pay for solar panels over a fixed period, say 20 years. There are no upfront costs, and instead you pay a monthly fee, which usually covers the solar panel and battery installation, repairs and maintenance.

Do solar panels generate electricity?

That said, the rate at which solar panels generate electricity varies depending on the amount of direct sunlight and the quality, size, number and location of panels in use. Even in winter, solar panel technology is still effective; at one point in February 2022, solar was providing more than 20% of the UK’s electricity.1

Can solar energy provide a home with all the power?

In theory, solar energy should be able to provide your home with all the power it needs for the entire year, however, solar has a few limitations you should be aware of. Firstly, the solar panels should have maximum exposure to the sun year round, otherwise they’ll struggle to generate adequate amounts of energy.

Why should you install solar panels?

Installing solar panels lets you use free, renewable, low carbon electricity. You can sell surplus electricity to the grid or store it for later use. According to low-carbon certification organisation MCS , there were more than 183,000 solar panel installations across the UK in 2023.

Are DIY solar panels legal in the UK?

Yes. UK law is pretty relaxed about DIY solar panels, and in most cases you don’t even need planning permission to install a full-sized array of solar panels by yourself. But going DIY may mean you miss out on government schemes, product warranties and utility company support, because you won’t have the necessary paperwork or certification.